Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia of Houston graduated from Taylor High School in the Alief Independent School District, in 1998.

Edgar wanted to give back to the country that had been so good to his family.

So he joined the Corps on July 20, 1998 and was trained as a reconnaissance man. He planned to make it a career.

As a child, he often insisted on joining his brother and his friends when they were deep into GI Joe war game "scenarios."

He was promoted to staff sergeant Jan. 1, 2007. His list of decorations includes the Purple Heart medal. His decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Assistance Service medal and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

He died while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan at age 28.

Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia gave his life in Afghanistan last Thursday.

July 2, 2008, 12:16AM

Fallen Marine wanted to give back to U.S.
The son of parents from Mexico, he felt America had been good to his family
By ROSANNA RUIZ

As the son of legal residents from Mexico, Edgar A. Heredia wanted to give back to the country that had been so good to his family.

Last Thursday, the 28-year-old staff sergeant gave his life in Afghanistan.

Heredia died in combat in the western province of Farah during a combat mission in what had been a particularly deadly month for coalition forces there, according to the Department of Defense.

More coalition troops have been killed in Afghanistan than in Iraq for the second straight month, according to The Associated Press.

At least 44 international troops died there last month, compared to about 30 in Iraq.

Heredia had served a tour in Iraq during his 10 years in the Marines.

He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Brother Sam Heredia and father Alejandro Heredia were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Tuesday, where the Marine's remains were sent.

A Marine Corps honor guard will meet the family at noon today when they arrive at Hobby Airport.

Heredia enlisted in the Marines after graduating from Taylor High School, in the Alief Independent School District, in 1998.

He planned to make it a career, Sam Heredia said.

"We have a loyalty to this country, and we feel as though we have to repay it," he said. "He chose the Marines, and I went into Border Patrol."

As a Marine, Heredia worked in reconnaissance, served as a sniper, and recently became a reconnaissance team leader, Sam Heredia said.

"He loved his job. He loved doing what he did," he said.

"As a family, we are very proud of him. He's our hero."

As a child, Edgar Heredia often insisted on joining his brother and his friends when they were deep into GI Joe war game "scenarios."

One time, Sam Heredia recalled, he had kept his younger brother out of their game, but he was lurking close by.

At the height of the imaginary attack, Edgar Heredia showed up with his toy tanks and yelled: "My friends will help you."

Even as a little boy, he always watched out for those he loved, Sam Heredia said. The men he served with could certainly count on him, he added.

"He was the most loyal person I knew, and his priority was backing up his friends," Sam Heredia said. "Even though he's my little brother, I looked up to him."